Detachable panties

ABSTRACT

The detachable panties are constructed so as to enable donning and removal of the panty with minimal effort and bodily movement. The panties comprise a front panel, applicable to the front of a wearer&#39;s torso, a rear panel, applicable to the back of the wearer&#39;s torso, a crotch portion extending adjacently below the torso between front and back panel, a waistband at the top of front and rear panels, and leg portions. Fastening means are distributed on selected areas of the panty to allow assembly and removal of the panty without the necessity of normal dressing movements. The detachable panties are ideal for general use, as they allow a playful and quick way of donning and removing the garment from the body. The detachable panties are also appropriate for use by elderly people or people suffering from a disability which impairs their movement, as it can be worn and removed without bending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to undergarments, and specifically, to panties style undergarments.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Donning and removing conventional panties entails significant bodily movement, as an individual must bend and use both arms and legs to carry out the procedure. For most people, the effort and physical movement entailed in donning or removing a panty is inconvenient and sometimes quite awkward. For elderly people or people suffering from a disability which impairs their movement, wearing or removing conventional panties can be impossible if they are unable to either fold their arms or fold their legs for purposes of inserting the limb into the conventional panties leg openings. For example, without folding the legs, the arms are simply not long enough to permit the insertion of the leg into the panties. Thus, panties which can be put on and removed quickly without requiring any bending or other awkward movements would be desirable.

[0005] Panties and brief structures are known which have detachable parts so that the garment can be donned without requiring significant lower body movement. However, prior art panties and brief structures which are detachable are flawed either because they are completely detachable and prone to fall to the ground once detached, in which case one must bend down to pick up the dropped portion, they are not sufficiently secure when assembled, they are difficult to assemble and disassemble, or they are unattractive for general use, typically resembling diapers rather than panties.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,763, issued Mar. 27, 1979 to J. Abrams et al., discloses an undergarment having a detachable crotch area as well as detachable sides. This structure has totally detachable front and back panels with hook and loop fastening material. Consequently, significant effort is required to align the front and back panels correctly before they can be attached. This may require even more maneuvering than would be used in conventional brief designs. Furthermore, since this brief is completely detachable, it is possible that at least one panel may be dropped during disassembly.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,440, issued Mar. 31, 1981 to M. McGowan, discloses briefs for a handicapped person having front and rear panels which are integrally connected at the crotch and which use hook and loop fasteners for attachment. The hook and loop fastening material extends longitudinally along opposing edge margins of the panels. Loops are attached to each of side edge margins. One must sit or lie atop the rear panel in order to successfully align and attach the side margins. The garment is unsuitable for general use, as it does not provide a flexible waistband to allow for significant movement around the waist area.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,772, issued Apr. 15, 1986 to A. Smith, discloses a training panty having front and rear panels integrally joined together at a crotch. Releasable contact fastening means, such as hook-and-loop material are positioned on opposing surfaces of the front and rear panels so that the front and rear panels are releasably secured together to define a waistband and a pair of identical leg openings. To ensure inadvertent unfastening, a plurality of contact fastening members are aligned along the side edges of the panels. However, when the panels are secured together, a closure is produced which includes gaps.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,918, issued Jun. 30, 1987 to A. O'Brien, discloses a one-piece brief comprising an upper band portion with front and rear panels and a crotch portion descending from the middle of the rear panel. Hook and loop fastening material is affixed to the side edges of the front and rear panels, on the waist band, and on the crotch portion.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,795, issued Jun. 6, 1989 to E. Lonon, discloses body suits and underpants in which a seat flap at the crotch is readily opened or closed by means of a self-gripping fastener, such as hook-and-loop fastening material.

[0011] Other patents relating to detachable undergarments include U.S. Pat. No. Des. 339,445, issued Sep. 21, 1993 to J. Russano (ornamental design for hospital brief); U.S. Pat. No. D440,027 S, issued Apr. 10, 2001 to A. Strougo (ornamental design for undergarment); U.S. Pat. No. 2,492,620, issued Dec. 7, 1945 to J. Cohen (detachable lady's undergarment); U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,900, issued May 19, 1953 to L. Gruenberg et al. (children's detachable panties); U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,110, issued Jul. 1, 1986 to J. Smith Sr., (panty-type undergarment with detachable crotch portion); U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,320, issued Dec. 14, 1993 to J. Hunnicutt (prophylactic contraceptive barriers with shield flange and attached undergarment); U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,757, issued Jul. 16, 1996 to A. Fleming Jr. (combination of an undergarment and prophylactic); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,161 B1, issued Jan. 15, 2002 to K. Ali Muhammad (detachable women's lingerie).

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, the detachable panties of the present invention solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The detachable panties are constructed so as to enable donning and removal of the panties with minimal effort and bodily movement. The panties comprise a front panel, applicable to the front of a wearer's torso, a rear panel, applicable to the back of the wearer's torso, a crotch portion extending adjacently below the torso between front and back panel, a waistband at the top of front and rear panels, and leg portions. Fastening means are distributed on selected areas of the panties to allow assembly and removal of the panties without the necessity of normal dressing movements. The detachable panties are ideal for general use, as it allows a playful and quick way of donning and removing the garment from the body. The detachable panties are also appropriate for use by elderly people or people suffering from a disability which impairs their movement, as they can be worn and removed without bending.

[0014] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide detachable panties which can be worn and removed without bending or attempting normal dressing movements.

[0015] It is another object of the invention to provide detachable panties which can be assembled and disassembled in a manner which is not awkward for a wearer.

[0016] It is a further object of the invention to provide panties made from one piece.

[0017] Still another object of the invention is to provide panties which can be securely fastened on the torso of the wearer.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of detachable panties when unassembled with a diagonal strap of hook and loop fastening material according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of detachable panties when assembled with a diagonal strap of hook and loop fastening material according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of an alternate embodiment of detachable panties with a diagonal strap of hook and loop fastening material on the rear panel, with the closure partially pulled down.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of a fourth embodiment of detachable panties when unassembled with vertical strap of hook and loop fastening material.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a fourth embodiment of detachable panties with vertical strap of hook and loop fastening material fastened on the back panel and with the crotch open.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of fifth embodiment of detachable panties with vertical side straps of hook and loop fastening material when unassembled.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of detachable panties with vertical side straps of hook and loop fastening material when assembled.

[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The present invention is detachable panties, generally designated as 10 in the drawings. Referring first to FIGS. 1-2, the detachable panties 10 comprise a front panel 12, applicable to the front of a wearer's torso, a rear panel 14, applicable to the back of the wearer's torso, a crotch panel 16 extending adjacently below the torso between front panel 12 and rear panel 14, a waistband 18, and a pair of identical leg portions 20. The front and rear panels, 12 and 14 include two opposing side edge margins 22 and 23 respectively. The detachable panties 10 have an inner surface 24 which faces the body of the wearer, and an outer surface 26 which faces away from the body of the wearer. The detachable panties 10 can be made from cloth or any flexible material suitable for undergarments. Waistband 18 can be made from an elastic fabric or any other resilient material which is conventionally used as a waistband in conventional panties.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, rear panel 12 and front panel 14 are integrally connected at side edge margins 22. Leg portions 20 are partially defined on each of front and rear panels, 12 and 14. The crotch panel 16 is formed by front crotch section 28 which extends downwardly from the center of the front panel 12 and rear crotch section 30 which extends downwardly from the center of rear panel 14. Front crotch section 28 and rear crotch section 30 comprise a plurality of complementary snap fastener elements 36 aligned along opposing surfaces 24 and 26 of front crotch edge 32 and rear crotch edge 34. In addition, one of rear crotch section 30 or front crotch section 28 is adapted to extend longer than the other so that front crotch edge 32 and rear crotch edge 34 may overlap and adjustably connect together at a connecting point 38 near the front or rear of the torso. Preferably the snap fastener elements 36 are plastic snaps.

[0030] The waistband 18 includes a separable point 41. The separable point 41 comprises detachable fastening material such as mating strips of hook and loop fastening material 48 on its opposing surfaces.

[0031] The front panel 12 is divided diagonally into first and second front flaps 40 and 42. Thus, each of first front flap 40 and second front flap 42 have diagonal edges 46 and 47, respectively, which extend from the separable point 41 of the waistband 18 to the connecting point 38 of the crotch panel 16. The diagonal edges, 46 and 47, are detachably connected with one another using any suitable detachable fastening material. Preferably, mating strips of hook-and-loop fastening material 48 are positioned on opposing surfaces, 24 and 26, of the diagonal edges, 46 and 47. Thus, when the diagonal edges 46 and 47 are pressed together, the hook-and-loop fasteners 48 are engaged and the first and second front flaps, 40 and 42, may be coupled together. At least one snap fastener element 36 may also be mounted anywhere along the diagonal edges, 46 and 47, to assist in aligning the mating hook-and-loop straps 48 when panties 10 are being assembled. A pull 49, may also be attached to a position on the outer surface of diagonal edge 46 to assist in pulling apart the mating straps of hook-and-loop fastening material 48. The pull 49 can comprise any suitable material attachment or link which can be easily grasped by a wearer.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the detachable panties, designated as 50. This embodiment is identical to the detachable panties 10, except for the structure of the front and rear panels and the positioning of the hook-and-loop fastening material 48. Identical components will not be further described. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the front panel 12 is continuous and the rear panel 14 is divided diagonally into first and second rear flaps, 52 and 54. Each of first and second rear flaps, 52 and 54, have diagonal edges, 53 and 55, respectively, which extend from the waistband 18 to the connecting point 38 of the crotch panel 16. Mating straps of hook-and-loop fastening material 48 are positioned on opposing surfaces, 24 and 26, of the diagonal edges, 53 and 55. Thus, when the diagonal edges, 53 and 55, are pressed together, the hook-and-loop fasteners 48 are engaged and the first rear flap 52 and second rear flap 54 may be coupled together.

[0033] FIGS. 4-5 show a third embodiment of the detachable panties, designated as 56. This embodiment is identical to the detachable panties 50 except that rear panel 14 is divided vertically and first and second rear flaps 52 and 54, have vertical edges 57 and 58. Identical components will not be further described. Referring to FIGS. 4-5, a strap of hook-and-loop fastening material 48 is positioned vertically on opposing surfaces, 24 and 26, of vertical edges, 57 and 58. The hook-and-loop fastening material 48 extends from the horizontal midpoint of the waistband 18 to the connecting point 38 of the crotch panel 16. Thus, the hook-and-loop fastening material 48 extends through rear crotch section 30. Alternatively, the fastening material 48 may extend vertically in a similar manner across the front panel 12 and extend to the connecting point 38 of the crotch panel 16.

[0034] FIGS. 6-7 show a fourth embodiment of the detachable panties, designated as 60. This embodiment is identical to the detachable panties 10, except that the crotch panel 16 is integrally connected with the front and rear panels, 12 and 14, and the opposing side edge margins, 22 and 23, are detachably connected. Identical components will not be further described. Referring to FIGS. 6-7, it will be seen that vertical straps of mating hook-and-loop fastening material 48 are positioned along opposing surfaces, 24 and 26 of the side edge margins, 22 and 23, in spaced relation.

[0035] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. Detachable panties, comprising: a front panel having opposing upper and lower edges and opposing side edge margins; a rear panel having opposing upper and lower edges and opposing side edge margins, the side margins of said front and rear panels being integrally connected; a detachable crotch panel, extending between the lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel, said crotch panel being defined by a front crotch portion which extends from a center of said front panel and a rear crotch portion which extends from a center of said rear panel; a resilient waistband, adapted to extend around a user's torso, the waistband being attached along the top edges of said front and said rear panels, the waistband being detachable at a separable point; a pair of leg portions defined on either side of said crotch panel, along the lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel; a plurality of snap fasteners detachably connecting the front and rear crotch portions; wherein one of said front panel and said rear panel is divided into first and second detachable flaps extending from said waistband to said crotch portion, the flaps having overlapping edges and having mating strips of hook and loop fastening material attached to the overlapping edges; whereby the detachable panties are donned and removed by attaching and detaching said snap fasteners and said mating strips of hook and loop fastening material.
 2. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said front panel is separated diagonally from the separable point of said waistband to said crotch panel, defining said first and second panels, said rear panel being continuous and non-detachable.
 3. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said rear panel is separated diagonally from the separable point of said waistband to said crotch panel, defining said first and second panels, said front panel being continuous and non-detachable.
 4. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said front panel is separated vertically from the separable point of said waistband to said crotch panel, defining said first and second panels, said rear panel being continuous and non-detachable.
 5. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said rear panel is separated vertically from the separable point of said waistband to said crotch panel, defining said first and second panels, said front panel being continuous and non-detachable.
 6. The detachable panties of claim 1, further comprising at least one snap fastener element mounted between the overlapping edges of said first and second flaps for aligning said mating hook-and-loop strips.
 7. The detachable panties of claim 1, further comprising a pull attached to said first flap for aiding removal of the detachable panties.
 8. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said resilient waistband is made from an elastic material.
 9. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said front, rear and crotch panels are made from cloth.
 10. The detachable panties of claim 1, wherein said plurality of snap fasteners comprises a plurality of plastic snaps.
 11. Detachable panties, comprising: a front panel having opposing upper and lower edges and opposing side edge margins; a rear panel having opposing upper and lower edges and opposing side edge margins, the side edge margins of said front and rear panels being overlapping; a crotch panel, extending between the lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel, said crotch panel being integrally connected with said front panel and said rear panel; a resilient waistband extending along the top edges of said front and said rear panels, said waistband being detachable at two separable points, the separable points being disposed above the opposing side margins of said front and rear panels; a pair of leg portions defined on either side of said crotch panel, along the lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel; mating strips of hook-and-loop fastening material attached to the overlapping, opposing side edge margins of said front and rear panels extending between the separable points of said waistband and the leg portions; wherein said front panel and said rear panels are donned and removed by attaching and detaching said mating strips of hook and loop fastening material.
 12. The detachable panties of claim 11, further comprising at least one snap fastener element mounted on each of said overlapping edges for aligning said mating hook-and-loop strips.
 13. The detachable panties of claim 11, wherein said resilient waistband is made from an elastic material.
 14. The detachable panties of claim 11, wherein said front panel, said rear panel and said crotch panel are made from cloth.
 15. The detachable panties of claim 11, further comprising a pull attached to each of the opposing side margins for aiding in detaching the side margins. 